Important Message from The Joint Chiropractic regarding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - Read More

Stop, Take a Deep Breath, and Give Worries the Boot

By Sandy Schroeder

Every morning I take a deep breath as I check my to-do list and feel a headache coming on. At night, I do the same thing if it has been an impossible day.

Whatever your worries are, you may know how it works. Just as you settle down for the night, the worries come out to play. An hour later you may still be wrestling with financial tangles or family demands, and then you start to worry about not getting enough sleep!

How to Get Smart

The good news is there are better answers out there and Real Simple may have some of them with advice from Robert Leahy, PhD, the Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York. Leahy is also the author of the award-winning book, The Worry Cure.

Leahy says, “Most people can get a grip on things if they take a few minutes to develop a different relationship with their thoughts and feelings.”

Here are some of his novel approaches.

Dismiss craziness - If you worry too much, you may find yourself imagining all sorts of bad events, like a total memory blank out at work or a costly mix-up in finances. Take a good look at the thought, and see it for what it is, a creative invention of your mind, and move on.

Recite the worry over and over - A lot of the terror of a big worry may lose its power when you get bored with the idea. Repeat it again and again for several minutes, and watch it lose its momentum.

Learn to spot false alarms - If you automatically worry about your family when you hear a siren, you may be creating a climate of fear for yourself. Stop for a minute and review the usual safety measures you use, and how they have worked for you time and again. Rely on yourself and your family and realize false alarms are just that.

Breathe deep - When you struggle to do something you may notice you are holding your breath. Take a minute and use your breath to calm down. Bring your mind and your breath together. Breathe in and out letting everything else go. You can use your breath wherever you are to get a better grip.

Time moves on - Today’s worry vanishes and tomorrow’s is yet to appear. When you realize that last week’s worries simply came and went without too many disasters, you may be able to enjoy a calmer perspective. Smile -- this too will pass.

If these approaches don’t work for you, don’t give up. Keep looking for the best ways to dial worries back and enjoy life. If worry and anxiety continue, you may want to see your doctor and a psychologist to work on the issue.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.

Story Link

Download your offer today and save!

$29 New Patient Special, Consultation | Exam | Adjustment

Offer valued at $45. Valid for new patients only. See clinic for chiropractor(s)' name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary.